Float-ball valve



Dec. 10, 1929. E. L. STIMSON 1,739,185

FLOAT BALL VALVE Filed Oct. 12, 1926 19" 7 6 g r i avwentoz 33313 Mamie0n vgw Patented Dec. 10, 1929 as STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN L. STIMSON,OF EGGERTSVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ESSEX RUBBER COM- PANY, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, A COR-IORATION OF NEW JERSEY FLOAT-BALL VALVEApplication filed October 12, 1926.

The present invention relates to float ball valves such as used influshing tanks and has for an object to provide an improved valve ofthis type.

The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from aconsideration of a particular illustrative embodiment t iereof for thepurpose of which description reference should be made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof and in which Fig. 1 is a topplan view ant Fig. 2 side view of a tank ball embodying the vention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the ball, and Figs. 4 and 5 aresectional views taken respectively on the lines 4-l and 55 of Fig. 1showing in cross section the shape of the ribs.

The ball valve shown for the purpose of illustrating the inventioncomprises a lower flexible seat engaging portion 5 and an upperrelatively rigid portion 6 formed for attachment to a suitable valvestem.

The upper portion may be of substantially the same thickness as thelower portion or, if desired, it may be somewhat thicker to providegreater inherent rigidity. On the outer surface of the upper portion areprovided a plurality of ribs 7 so formed as to reinforce the upperportion of the ball to prvoide the desired rigidity thereof and to tendto cause a rotation of the ball either as the ball is drawn upwardlythrough the water upon operation of the valve lifting mechanism, or asthe ball floats upwardly after the operation of said valve liftingmechanism. These ribs may be of any suitable form. As shown they are soformed as to present to the water on is a in one side an outstandingsurface 8 such that the engagement of the water therewith will tend torotate the ball. The direction of rotation as caused by the ribs ispreferably such as to tend to tighten the ball on the usual threaded rodwhich is arranged to be engaged in the threaded spud 9 molded in the topof the ball as is usual practice. It will be noted that the ribs arewider toward the centre of Serial No. 141,062.

the ball the better to provide the desired reinforcement.

In the usual operation of the ball valve the valve is lifted by thevalve operating mechanism a sufficient distance to free it from thevalve seat and thereafter the valve floats upwardly due to its ownbuoyancy. The ball may or may not actually be rotated by the ribs duringthe operation of the valve lifting mechanism depending upon the degreeof friction between the valve lifting mechanism and the valve stem.However, the form of the ribs is such as to tend to tighten the valve onthe valve stem rather than to unscrew it and when the valve passesbeyond the limit of the operated movement and during the floatingmovement thereof, it will be rotated on account of the shape of theribs.

This rotation of the ball will cause it to seat in different positionson the valve seat and thereby tend to cause an even wearing of thevalve. This rotation of the valves also tends to some extent to keep thevalve seat clean. I

The reinforcing ribs stiffen the upper portion of the ball thusperforming the function of the usual conical reinforcing member commonly used in balls of this type.

The lower portion of the ball below the annular seat engaging part isthickened to increase the rigidity of the lower half of the ball as awhole without reducing yieldability of the annular seat engaging part.

The lower portion of the ball is preferably provided with a relativelylarge opening whereby the ball can be made by molding upon a mandrel ina suitable mold, the mandrel being removed from the ball after thevulcanizing operation.

The foregoing description of a particular embodiment is illustrativemerely and is not intended as defining the limits of the invention.

I claim:

1. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engagingportion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, andreinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion andexteriorly thereof, said ribs being formed spirally of the ball to causerotation of the ball during movement through the water.

2. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engagingportion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, andmeans to cause rotation of the ball during movement through the water,said means being formed integrally with the upper portion of the balland providing reinforcement therefor.

3. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engagingportion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, andreinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion andexteriorly thereof, said ribs being relatively thin and narrow at thetop of the ball, becoming progressively thicker and wider at their midportions, and progressively thinner and wider at their lower ends.

4. A moulded rubber tank ball, comprising a lower flexible seat engagingportion, an upper relatively rigid valve stem engaging portion, andreinforcing ribs formed integrally with said upper portion andexteriorly thereof, said ribs being relatively thin and narrow at thetop of the ball, becoming progressively thicker and wider at their midportions, and progressively thinner and Wider at their lower ends, saidribs being provided with spirally arranged faces adapted to causerotation of the ball during movement through the Water.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this29th day of September, 1926. r

, EDWIN L. STIMSON.

